Looseleaf binder mechanism

ABSTRACT

A flexible post looseleaf binder having novel post hold-down slide means adapted to be easily inserted into and, if desired, removed from its retaining channel. To insert the slide means into the channel, the slide is held in a first angular position relative to the channel. In this position, the body of the slide presents to the channel top opening a maximum width not greater than substantially equal to the width of the channel opening, so that the slide can readily be inserted into the channel. After insertion, the slide is rotated to a second angular position. In this latter position, an abutment portion of the slide underlies a lateral wall portion of the channel, so that the slide is locked against accidental removal from the channel. In a modified form, each slide is provided with a hook-like hanger extension. When the slides are moved to the outward ends of the channel, these extensions protrude outwardly beyond the binder covers, and are used to hang the binder in a file cabinet or the like. Detent structure provided on each slide holds the slide releasably latched in the foregoing end position.

United States Patent 1 Price LOOSELEAF BINDER MECHANISM PrimaryExaminerWm. H. Grieb Attorney-Norman Friedman et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A flexible post looseleaf binder having novel posthold-down slide means adapted to be easily inserted into and, ifdesired, removed from its retaining channel. To insert the slide meansinto the channel, the slide is held in a first angular position relativeto the channel. In this position, the body of the slide presents to thechannel top opening a maximum width not greater than substantially equalto the width of the channel opening, so that the slide can readily beinserted into the channel. After insertion, the slide is rotated to asecond angular position. In this latter position, an abutment portion ofthe slide underlies a lateral wall portion of the channel, so that theslide is locked against accidental removal from the channel.

In a modified form, each slide is provided with a hook-like hangerextension. When the slides are moved to the outward ends of the channel,these extensions protrude outwardly beyond the binder covers, and areused to hang the binder in a file cabinet or the like. Detent structureprovided on each slide holds the slide releasably latched in theforegoing end position.

18 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PAIENI nm 4191s snzinur a FIG.l

PAIENIEDHEE 4W 3.776.848

SHEET 20F 3 Q FG.1O 5? FIG.11

LOOSELEAF BINDER MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Flexible postlooseleaf binders conventionally include mechanism for holding theflexible posts in bentover position when the binder is in assembledcondition. Such mechanisms are sometimes known as compression mechanism.They customarily include a slide movable in a channel or the equivalentto and from a position overlying and thereby holding down the bentoverflexible post.

In one prior art form, the slide is of a somewhat larger width than thelongitudinal channel opening and the slide is resiliently pressed orsnapped downwardly into the channel to be slidably retained therein.However, in this kind of device a considerable force is usually requiredto insert the slide into the channel. Furthermore, the slide cannotreadily be removed from the channel.

In another form of prior art device the width of the channel opening,i.e., between its usual top flanges, is greater along a short portion ofits length, to thereby make it easier to insert the 'slide edge of thechannel through this enlarged width portion. However, in this versionthere is the danger that the slide will inadvertently be removed from orfall outof the channel at the greater width channel opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, thereis provided a unique compression slide and a unique cooperation betweenthe slide and the channel or the like in which it is to be slidablyretained. To insert the slide into the channel, the slide is first heldin a first angular position. In this angular position, the body portionof the slide presents to the top opening of the channel a maximum widthnot greater than substantially the same width, and preferably a slightlysmaller width, than the width of the channel opening. Thus, the slidecan now be readily inserted into the channel. After insertion, the slideis rotated to a second angular position. This latter rotation of theslide member causes an abutment portion of the slide member to be movedto effective position to underlie a lateral wall portion of the channel,said lateral wall portion cooperating with the slides abutment portionto effectively block the slide against its unintended removal from thechannel.

If it is desired to remove the slide from the channel, the foregoingprocess can be reversed. That is to say, the inserted slide is rotatedfrom its second angular position back to the first angular position,whereupon the slide can readily be withdrawn from the channel.

In a modified form, each slide is provided with a hook-like hangerextension. When the slides are moved to the outward ends of the channel,these extensions protrude outwardly beyond the binder covers, and areused to hang the binder in a file cabinet or the like. Detent structureprovided on each slide holds the slide releasably latched in theforegoing end position.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novelcompression means for a flexible post looseleaf binder. 1 It is afurther object to provide a compression slide which is easilyinsertedinto its retaining track or channel.

sertion is rotated to another angular position to retain the slide inthe track or channel.

It is a further object to provide a compression slide which is easilyremovable from the retaining track or channel by reversal of theforegoing insertion steps.

It is a further object to provide a compression slide having a hook-likehanger extension by which the binder can be supported in a file cabinetor the like.

It is a further object to provide means for releasably latching theslide in the position wherein the foregoing hanger extension of theslide protrudes to effective position beyond the binder covers.

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the inventionwill become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art fromthe following detailed description of preferred embodiments of theinvention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of alooseleaf binder incorporating the novel compression slide of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on line 11 II of no. 1.

FIG. 2A is an enlarged portion of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on line III III of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view showing the slide in itsfirst angular position for insertion of the slide into the channel.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the slide after it hasbeen inserted into the channel and rotated to its second angularposition in assembled relation with the channel.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the slide.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the slide.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged top plan view showing one of the endcaps mounted in the channel.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on line IX IX of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line X X of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the end cap.

FIG..11A is an end elevational view showing the end cap mounted in thechannel.

FIGS. 12 16 relate to a modified form of the compression slide, in whichthe slide is provided with a being respectively provided for theopposite ends of the binder.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the binder supported in hangingfashion by the modified slides of FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view taken on line XV XV ofFIG. 14.

3 FIG. 16 is a front elevational view'of the slide of FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring particularly to FIGS.1 3 of the drawings, the reference numerals 2 and 4 designateconventional binder covers of one typical form. Mounted in the binder onconventional binder posts 6 are a number of looseleaf sheets 8. Thesheets 8 as shown herein are computer print-out tab sheets. However, itwill be understood that the principles of the invention are applicableto diverse forms of looseleaf binders, and for containing any desiredkind of looseleaf sheet.

The binder posts 6 are typically made of nylon and comprise an enlargeddiameter head 10 and elongated flexible body portion 12. The body andhead portions are joined together by a short substantially cylindricalportion 14 of larger diameter than the body portion, and an intermediatetapered portion 16.

Reference numeral 18 designates elongated upper and lower channelmembers generally of the type used with this kind of binder. Each of thechannel members, which are usually made of metal, comprises a baseportion 20, and upwardly and outwardly extending side wall portions 22which terminate in inwardly extending turned-over flange portions 24.

The bases of channels 18, as well as the underlying portions 26, 28 ofthe binder covers 2 and 4 are provided with corresponding rows oflongitudinally arranged holes 30, 32, and 34 respectively. If desired,each channel member 18 may be permanently secured to its related covermember, as by rivets 36.

In use, each binder post is passed through one of the holes in one ofthe cover members, e.g., 2, and its associated channel member 18, thenthrough the holes 38 in the looseleaf sheets 8, then through thecorresponding aligned holes in the other cover member 4 and itsassociated channel member. The flexible body portion 12 of each binderpost is then bent downwardly to lie along the adjacent channel memberbase portion 20, and it is held in this position by an associatedcompression slide 40. The novel slides 40 of the present invention willbe described shortly.

The short enlarged diameter portions 14 of the binder posts 6 arepreferably in a press fit relationship with the holes in channel memberbase portion 20 so as to prevent the posts from inadvertently workingloose. The tapered post portion 16 just inwardly of portion 14 merelyserves as a lead-in to enable the posts to be fully inserted through thechannel holes 30 without undue difficulty.

The binder posts 6 can be inserted either from above or below, the upperand lower channel members 18 being identical. As shown in FIGS. 1 4 3,the posts have been inserted from below and the compression slides aretherefore provided on the upper channel. However, it will be understoodthat if the posts are inserted from above, then the slides 40 will beprovided on the lower channel.

The novel slide 40 of the present invention will now be described. Theslide is so constructed that when it blocked relation with andunderlying the flanges 24 of the channel. As a result, the slide is heldagainst inadvertent removal from the channel. When it is desired toremove the slide from the channel, the foregoing process is reversed.

The special configuration of the slide which provides for the foregoingfunctions is best seen in FIGS. 4 7.

The slide includes a head portion 42 and an underlying body portion 44.In use, the underside of the head portion is outside of and may rest onthe top of the channel, i.e., on flanges 24. The head portion 42 may, asshown, be substantially square or rectangular in shape, although thisparticular shape is not critical.

As best seen in FIG. 6, in the present preferred embodiment, theunderlying body portion 44 is essentially lozenge-shaped with itslongitudinal axis extending generally diagonally of head 42, i.e.,between lower left and upper right.

This imaginary longitudinal axis is designated 46 in FIG. 6. Anotherimaginary axis, at an oblique angle of about 40 to axis 46 and extendingparallel to the upper and lower edges of head 42, is designated 48 inFIG. 6.

Referring also to FIG. 2, slide body portion 44 includes a downwardlyopening central recess 49 open at its ends and defined at its top by twoflat coplanar surfaces 50 and 52. The latter surfaces lie on oppositesides of an elongated upwardly concave arcuate groove 54 open at itsopposite ends. Groove 54 runs generally parallel to axis 48. (At thisjuncture it should be noted that FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of theslide. Therefore, references in this written description to upwar andthe like will, as applied to FIG. 6, have to be considered downwardrelative to the plane of that figure, and vice versa.) The sides of theaforementioned recesses are defined by flat vertical side walls 56 and58; and 62 and 64, of respective depending bar-like members 68 and 70extending generally parallel to axis 48.

Each of the bars 68, 70 includes a lowermost substantially flathorizontal lower surface 72, 74. Sloping upwardly and outwardly from thelatter and formingthe lateral outside side surfaces of bars 68 and 70are beveled side surfaces 76, 78. The latters, bevel or slope anglesubstantially conforms to the angle of outward slope of the channel sidewalls 22 relative to the channel base 20, since these sloping surfacesof the slide are intended to ride along these sloping side walls, asseen in FIG. 2.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 2A and also shown in FIGS. 4 7, the bevelside surfaces 76, 78 are each provided with a very shallow horizontallyextending step or shoulder 80, 82. The angle of slope of the bevelsurfaces 76 and 78above and below respective steps 80, 82 are the same,i.e., are both the slope angle described before, which is the same asthe slope angle of the channel side walls 22. Steps 80 and 82 are of athickness in the order of 0.012 inches, but are shown exaggerated inFIG. 2 for ease of illustration.

Bar 68 terminates at its right hand end (FIG. 6) in a vertical wall orflat 84 which is substantially parallel to axis 46. Bar 70 similarlyterminates at left-hand end in a like vertical flat 86. Flats 84 and 86extend up to and are integral with the underside of the slide head 42.

The upwardly and outwardly sloping bevel side surfaces 76, 78 eachterminates at its upper end at a horizontal inwardly extending narrowledge 88,90 which, together with a short vertical wall 92, 94 and theover lying, overhanging portion of head 42, forms a reentrant laterallyoutwardly opening longitudinally extending slot 96, 98. As seen in FIGS.2 and 2A, the inwardly turned flanges 24 of channels 18 are adapted tobe received in the respective slots 96'and 98 formed along the oppositesides of the slide 40. Slots 96 and 98 are each open at their oppositeends, slot 96 extending through flat 84 and slot 98 extending-throughflat 86.

It is important to note that the distance or width dimension between theparallel vertical flats 84 and 86 of bars 68, 70, relative to the axis46 of slide 40 is substantially equal to and preferably slightly lessthan the width of the channel opening defined between the inner endsofthe channel flanges 24. It should further be noted that this widthdimension of the body portion 44 of the slide is also the widestdimension of the slide, again relative to axis 46.

The technique for assembling the slides 40 to the channel 18 is asfollows. The slide is first angularly oriented relative to the channelso that axis 46 of the slide body portion 44 is substantially parallelto the longitudinal dimension of the channel, as shown in FIG. 4. Inthis first angular position of the slide, the parallel vertical flats 84and 86 of the slide bars 68, 70 will be parallel to the topmost innerside edges of the channel flanges 24; and, as pointed out above, thedimension across these flats 84 and 86 is the maximum width of the slidein this angular position and this width is slightly less than the widthof the channel opening. Accordingly, the slide may now be freelyinserted into the channel as limited by either the lowermost horizontalsurfaces 72 and 74 of the slide bars 68, 70 engaging the base of thechannel, or by the underside of the slide head 42 engaging the upperedges of the channel flange 24 whichever occurs first depending upon therelative dimensions of the parts. At this point there is of coursenothing preventing the slide from inadvertently falling out of thechannel or being pulled out of the channel.

The slide is then rotated from the foregoing position of FIG. 2clockwise to its second angular position, of FIG. 5. Axis 48 of theslide is now parallel to the longitudinal dimension of the channel 18.In the course of this movement, the two opposed slots 96 and 98 beneathhead 42 provide a space or clearance for receiving the inwardlyextending flanges 24 of the channel. Also, as the slide is being rotatedfrom the FIG. 4 to the FIG. 5 position, the lowermost end comers of theslide, i.e., at the intersection of flat 84 with sloping bevel surface76, and at the intersection of flat 86 with bevel surface 86, may engageor hit the respective side walls 22 of the channel, depending on therelative dimensions of the parts. If this occurs, the slide can readilybe manually snapped past this interference point, this being permittedby the resiliency of the slide material and/or of the channel. In fact,such a slight amount of interference in rotating the slide to the FIG. 5position is desirable. It prevents the slide from being inadvertentlyrotated from the fully assembled FIG. 5 position to the removableposition of FIG. 4. In this regard, it will of course be understood thatwhen it is desired to remove the slide from the channel, the slide ismerely counterrotated counterclockwise from the FIG. 5 to the FIG. 4position, whereupon it may be freely removed from the channel. i

The final assembled relationship between the slide 40 and the channel 18is best seen in FIGS. 2, 2A and 5. The inwardly extending flanges 24 ofthe channel are disposed within the slide slots 96 and 98. The slidecannot be inadvertently removed from the channel. The ledges 88 and 90forming the bottom sides of the slots 96 and 98 underlie the inwardlyextending flanges 24. These ledges therefore act as abutments or stopsto prevent inadvertent removal of the slide from the channel. Theupwardly and outwardly sloping bevel side surfaces 76, 78 of the slideare generally parallel'to the re spective opposed outwardly sloping sidewalls 22 of the channel and ride therealong.

The slides are of course freely slidable along the length of thechannel. It will be recalled that the side bevel surfaces 76 and 78 ofthe slide are each provided with a shallow step or ledge 80, 82, belowwhich these bevel surfaces extend slightly outwardly relative to theplanes of the upper portions of these bevel surfaces. These slightlyprotruding lower portions, since they provide a closer fit with thechannel side walls, are helpful in stabilizing the slide to minimize anytendency of the slide to wobble loosely in the channel.

The downwardly opening recess 49 of the slide between bars 68 and 70provides an opening through which the cooperable binder post body 12 isadapted to extend and thereby be held bent over by the undersurface ofthe slide. The arcuate groove 54in the slide undersurface provides amating channel for receiving the post. Because of the latters inherentresiliency, it will tend to be self-biassed upwardly to lie in groove54.

Each channel 18 is of uniform cross-section from end to end, asdistinguished from prior art devices in which the channels are bentinwardly at their opposite ends to form end stops for the slides. Forthe two purposes of both providing such end stops in the channel, andalso shielding the rather sharp end edges of the channel so that a userwill not injure himself, there are provided channel end caps 100, asseen in FIGS. 1 and 8 11A. (It will be understood that the slides 40 canif desired of course be used with such conventional channels havingtheir ends bent in to form end stops.)

Each end cap 100 comprises a body portion 102 contoured to fit snuglywithin the channel, and a head 104 which is adapted to abut the outerend edges of the channel and is of sufficient length and width tocompletely shield those edges. Head 104 is provided with smoothlyrounded edges to avoid cutting the user.

The end cap body portion 102 comprises a central member 106 having anuppermost surface 108 which slopes downwardly from the top edge of head104. At its opposite sides, the body portion 102 include upwardlysloping wings or flanges 110, 112. Their slope angle is substantiallythe same as the slope angle of the channel sidewalls 22 relative to thechannel base 20. Grooves or slots 114 and 116 separate the lastmentionedwings or flanges 110, 112 from the central portion 106 of the bodyportion.

On its underside, the end cap is provided with a blind slot 118extending inwardly from and through the head 104 and into the bodyportion 106. To firmly secure or latch the cap to the channel, th base20 of the latter is provided adjacent each of its ends with an upstrucksloping tongue 120. When the body portion 102 of the end cap is insertedinto the open end of channel 18, the inner end of the cap body portionpresses the inherently resilient upstruck tongue 120 downwardly into thehole in the channel base 20 from which the tongue 1 was struck. Thetongue is so held down by the cap until the cap is fully inserted intothe channel. At this point, the inherent resiliency of the tongue willcause the latter to snap upwardly into slot 118 formed in the undersideof the cap (see FIG. 9). In this final assembled position of the end capin the channel, the outside faces of the end cap wings 110, 112 firmlygrip the inside of the channel walls 22. Also, the turned-over channelflanges 24 extend over and grip the upper edges of the end cap wings110, 112, and also extend downwardly into the grooves or spaces 114,116provided in the end cap between the aforesaid wings and the centralmajor body portion of the end cap.

The end cap is thereby snugly and substantially permanently mounted inthe channel. Any force tending to remove the cap outwardly back throughthe open end of the channel will be strongly resisted by the upstrucktongue 120 of the channel base bearing against the inner end wall ofblind slot 118.

The aforedescribed novel end caps are not limited in their applicationto use with the novel slides described herein, but can be used with anytype of compression slide.

Both the slides 40 and the end caps 100 may be formed in any suitableway of any suitable material. Preferably, they are each molded as asingl integral unit of any suitable synthetic resin material, such as aresilient nylon.

FIGS. 12 16 show a modified form of the slide. Here, the slide 40 isprovided with a hook or hanger extension 122, which will protrudeoutwardly beyond the binder covers 2, 4 when the slides are pushed tothe ends of the channel (FIGS. 14, 15). As shown in FIG. 14, the hookextensions can thus be used to support the binder in hanging fashion onthe hanger bars 124, 126 of a file cabinet or the like.

, The slide body portion 44 of the FIGS. 12 16 form is constructed andoperates exactly the same as the first 3 described form of FIGS. 1 7,and therefore that description need not be repeated here. The headportion 42 of the FIGS. 12 16 modification is like the head 42 of theFIGS. 1 7 form, except that it is provided with the integrallongitudinal extension 122 having a slot or cutout 128 to thereby definea hanger hook adjacent to its outer end. The integral hook extension 12is of the same thickness as the head 42 from which it extends. It willbe understood that, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 respectively, the slideswith the hook extensions 122 will be provided in two respective mirrorimage versions, i.e., with the hook extensions extending in oppositedirections, each of the two versions respectively being provided for theopposite hanger ends of a given channel 18.

To hold the slides securely detented or latched in their end,hook-protruding positions of FIGS. 14 15, the following structure isprovided. Integral with the underside of each hook extension 122 is adetent protuberance 130 including an innermost vertical wall 132terminating at its top in a short horizontal wall 134. The detentprotuberance includes a laterally rounded downwardly sloping memberwhose outer sloping surface provides a cam surface 136.

As the slide is being pushed towards its end, hookprotruding position,the cam surface 136 of the detent protuberance 130 will engage the upperedge of the head 104 of end cap 100 and thereby be cammed upwardly toallow further endwise movement of the slide in channel 18. Ultimately,asthe slide is further pushed in an endwise direction in the channel,when the inner vertical wall 132 of the detent protuberance 130 movesinto alignment with the outer end face of the end cap head, theprotuberance and the hook extension integral therewith will resilientlysnap downwardly into the detented position shown in FIG. 15. It will beunderstood that the inherent resiliency of the material of which theslide is made will permit the foredescribed upward flexing of the slideand particularly of the hook extension portion thereof. When it isdesired to push the slide back inwardly in the channel, the hookextension is merely manually flexed laterally outwardly in a directionaway from the channel, to free the protuberance 130 from its latchedrelation with the head of the end cap.

Like the slide of FIGS. 1 7 the slide of FIGS. 12 16 is preferably madeas an integral unit of a suitable material such as a resilient nylon.

The end caps are the subject of another pending US. patent applicationassigned to the same assignee as the present application, and filed inthe name of Billy J. Doolittle, Ser. No. 230,005, filed Feb. 28, 1972.

While there are. shown and described herein certain preferredembodiments of the invention, it will be understood that in practice,the invention and its various features can be practiced in numerousdiverse forms. Accordingly, it is intended that the foregoing disclosurebe illustrative only and not in any way limitative of the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. In a looseleaf binder including spaced wall means definingtherebetween a longitudinally extending space and a top openingthereinto, said wall means including laterally extending wall portionmeans:

a slide member adapted to be slidably disposed in said space for slidinglongitudinal movement therealong relative to said spaced wall means;

said slide member including a body portion which in a first angularposition of said slide member relative to said opening presents to saidopening a maximum width not greater than substantially equal to thewidth of said opening to thereby permit said body portion to be insertedthrough said opening into the space defined between said spaced wallmeans;

said slide member after insertion thereof into said space beingrotatable relative to said opening to a second angular position;

said body portion of said slide member including abutment means renderedeffective by said rota tion of said slide member to said second angularposition to underlie said laterally extending wall portion means, saidwall portion means cooperating with said abutment means, when said slideis in said second angular position, to block said slide means againstremoval from said space.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein:

said slide member includes a head portion disposed above saidbodyportion, said head portion being disposed outside said space when saidbody portion is disposed within said space.

said head portion providing a manually graspable operating means formanipulating said slide member.

3. The combination according to claim 2:

said head portion being of a width greater than said top opening intosaid space.

4. The combination according to claim 3:

said laterally extending wall portion means being provided at the top ofsaid space and comprising opposed, spaced, laterally inwardly extendingflanges, said top opening into said space being defined between theinner edges of said opposed flanges.

5. The combination according to claim 4:

said slide member being provided with opposed, spaced, longitudinallyextending slots adjacent and underlying said head portion;

said slots opening laterally outwardly;

said abutment means comprising a wall of each of said slots.

6. The combination according to claim 5:

said flanges extending into said slots when said inserted slide memberis in its second angular position.

7. The combination according to claim 1, including:

means for blocking movement of said inserted slide member from saidsecond to said first angular position.

8. The combination according to claim 1, wherein:

said inserted slide member is rotatable from said sec- 0nd angularposition to said first angular position to allow removal of said slidemeans from said space.

9. The combination according to claim 8, wherein said slide memberincludes:

overridable means for blocking movement of said slide member from saidsecond to said first angular position.

10. The combination according to claim 5, wherein said slide memberfurther includes:

opposed, spaced bar members depending below said slots and definingbetween said bar members a recess through which a post of said binder isadapted to extend and be held down by said slide member.

11. The combination according to claim 10, wherein:

each of said bar members includes a vertical, substantially flat surfaceat an end thereof, the said surfaces of said two bar members beingspaced and substantially parallel and defining thereacross said maximumwidth of said slide member body portion.

12. The combination according to claim 1, wherein:

said slide member includes a substantially hookshaped extension fasttherewith and arranged to protrude outwardly beyond the side of saidbinder when said slide member is slid to a given position adjacent theend of said longitudinally extending space.

13. The combination according to claim 12, further including:

positive latching means for latching said slide member in said givenposition.

14. The combination according to claim 13, wherein:

said latching means comprises a detent member provided on said slidemember.

15. The combination according to claim 14, wherein:

said detent member is provided on said extension of said slide member.

16. The combination according to claim 15, wherein:

said detent member includes a positive latching shoulder.

17. The combination according to claim 1, wherein:

said slide member is provided on its underside with a downwardly openingrecess arranged to receive therein the bent-over portion of a bindingpost.

18. The combination according to claim 17, wherein:

said recess is open at opposed ends thereof.

1. In a looseleaf binder including spaced wall means definingtherebetween a longitudinally extending space and a top openingthereinto, said wall means including laterally extending wall portionmeans: a slide member adapted to be slidably disposed in said space forsliding longitudinal movement therealong relative to said spaced wallmeans; said slide member including a body portion which in a firstangular position of said slide member relative to said opening presentsto said opening a maximum width not greater than substantially equal tothe width of said opening to thereby permit said body portion to beinserted through said opening into the space defined between said spacedwall means; said slide member after insertion thereof into said spacebeing rotatable relative to said opening to a second angular position;said body portion of said slide member including abutment means renderedeffective by said rotation of said slide member to said second angularposition to underlie said laterally extending wall portion means, saidwall portion means cooperating with said abutment means, when said slideis in said second angular position, to block said slide means againstremoval from said space.
 2. The combination according to claim 1,wherein: said slide member includes a head portion disposed above saidbody portion, said head portion being disposed outside said space whensaid body portion is disposed within said space. said head portionproviding a manually graspable operating means for manipulating saidslide member.
 3. The combination according to claim 2: said head portionbeing of a width greater than said top opening into said space.
 4. Thecombination according to claim 3: said laterally extending wall portionmeans being provided at the top of said space and comprising opposed,spaced, laterally inwardly extending flanges, said top opening into saidspace being defined between the inner edges of said opposed flanges. 5.The combination according to claim 4: said slide member being providedwith opposed, spaced, longitudinally extending slots adjacent andunderlying said head portion; said slots opening laterally outwardly;said abutment means comprising a wall of each of said slots.
 6. Thecombination according to claim 5: said flanges extending into said slotswhen said inserted slide member is in its second angular position. 7.The combination according to claim 1, including: means for blockingmovement of said inserted slide member from said second to said firstangular position.
 8. The combination according to claim 1, wherein: saidinserted slide member is rotatable from said second angular position tosaid first angular position to allow removal of said slide means fromsaid space.
 9. The combination according to claim 8, wherein said slidemember includes: overridable means for blocking movement of said slidemember from said second to said first angular position.
 10. Thecombination according to claim 5, wherein said slide member furtherincludes: opposed, spaced bar members depending below said slots anddefining between said bar members a recess through which a post of saidbinder is adapted to extend and be held down by said slide member. 11.The combination according to claim 10, wherein: each of said bar membersincludes a vertical, substantially flat surface at an end thereof, thesaid surfaces of said two bar members being spaced and substantiallyparallel and defining thereacross said maximum width of said slidemember body portion.
 12. The combination according to claim 1, wherein:said slide member includes a substantially hook-shaped extension fasttherewith and arranged to protrude outwardly beyond the side of saidbinder when said slide member is slid to a given position adjacent theend of said longitudinally extending space.
 13. The combinationaccording to claim 12, further including: positive latching means forlatching said slide member in said given position.
 14. The combinationaccording to claim 13, wherein: said latching means comprises a detentmember provided on said slide member.
 15. The combination according toclaim 14, wherein: said detent member is provided on said extension ofsaid slide member.
 16. The combination according to claim 15, wherein:said detent member includes a positive latching shoulder.
 17. Thecombination according to claim 1, wherein: said slide member is providedon its underside with a downwardly opening recess arranged to receivetherein the bent-over portion of a binding post.
 18. The combinationaccording to claim 17, wherein: said recess is open at opposed endsthereof.